Newsmakers of the Day: Bowling center owners Robert Larsen and Kenneth Fontaine honored for bringing PBA to Norwich

DEBORAH STRASZHEIM

Tuesday

Apr 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMApr 28, 2009 at 10:44 PM

The Norwich mayor and City Council recognized and congratulated Robert Larsen and Kenneth Fontaine, owners of the Norwich Bowling and Entertainment Center, for their work in bringing a Professional Bowling Association event to the city and issued them a proclamation April 20.

In the news: The Norwich mayor and City Council recognized and congratulated Robert Larsen and Kenneth Fontaine, owners of the Norwich Bowling and Entertainment Center, for their work in bringing a Professional Bowling Association event to the city and issued them a proclamation April 20.

Background: Larsen and Fontaine were born and raised in Norwich and met through mutual friends years ago. Larsen owned a business distributing snacks for 30 years before they bought the bowling center. Fontaine was president and part of a family business that made flexible packaging, such as bags for Pepperidge Farm cookies. The business has existed 25 years. Both continue to run their businesses in addition to the bowling center.

The bowling center: Larsen bowled for more than 20 years, and was part of a Norwich city league; he had passion for the sport. Fontaine bowled in fourth grade, and that was it. “This was a business venture for me,” Fontaine said. The two bought the Norwich Ten Pin in August 2006, and revitalized it. In March 2007, they negotiated a deal with the Professional Bowling Association to bring a PBA event to Norwich. The Go RVing Classic was broadcast live on ESPN in 2008 and 2009.

Spillover benefits: “Bob and Ken made a conscious decision to make this a community project involving the City of Norwich Mayor’s office, Board of Education, Public Works, Norwich Free Academy, the Chambers of Commerce and many local businesses,” the city’s proclamation said. “This decision has led to what PBA bowlers call one of the top three events that they attend during the bowling season.”

The trophy: This year, the Rose of New England was engraved on the Go RVing Match Play Championship trophy.

Quotable: “It’s very meaningful,” Larsen said of the proclamation. “It gives a sense of fulfillment for what we’ve put in.” Fontaine said: “We work hard at it and the city’s been very supportive. It’s been a good mutual agreement between the city and us. I was ecstatic.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.